Chapter Summaries

At the Seven Treasure Hotel, “Xue Qinghe” gave Zhongli a savings card, jewels, and the Heaven Dou Empire’s Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud. Zhongli revealed that the relic was the Sea God’s Heart, and “Xue Qinghe” decided to leave it with him.

• “Xue Qinghe” gave Zhongli one million Gold Soul Coins and ten chests of jewels from Xue Ye, and Paimon stored the gifts away.
• “Xue Qinghe” presented Zhongli with the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, while Zhongli recognized it as the Sea God’s Heart and considered its importance to Tang San’s inheritance.
• Zhongli told “Xue Qinghe” that the Sea God’s Heart could lead its recognized master to the Sea God’s inheritance and make them the new Sea God.
• “Xue Qinghe” decided not to take the Sea God’s Heart back, reasoning that it might otherwise end up with Tang San, and suggested Zhongli could use it to become a deity.

After Paimon explained that Zhongli had no desire to become a god, “Xue Qinghe” gave him the Sea God's Heart, which Zhongli accepted despite suspecting something was unusual. Zhongli and Paimon discussed the burdens of leadership and planned a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, while Zhongli arranged to charge their meal to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

• Paimon told “Xue Qinghe” that Zhongli did not want to become a god, and “Xue Qinghe” reconsidered how Zhongli had gained godhood through the people’s faith.
• “Xue Qinghe” urged Zhongli to accept the Sea God's Heart, and Zhongli took it while wondering why the crown prince had given it away so readily.
• After “Xue Qinghe” left, Zhongli told Paimon that people who take a position must bear its burdens, then explained that Liyue needed to grow beyond his protection.
• Zhongli told Paimon he would take her to the Star Dou Great Forest in a couple of days if she agreed to talk less, leaving Paimon puzzled.
• When the proprietor asked about their bill, Zhongli gave him Ning Fengzhi's Token and told him to charge it to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Zhongli discouraged Paimon from prying into the hotel owner's story and reflected on when a powerful being should intervene in people's lives. Two days later, after "Xue Qinghe" left to hunt for a Soul Ring, Paimon eagerly asked Zhongli when they would head to the Star Dou Great Forest.

• The Seven Treasure Hotel owner recognized Zhongli's Supreme Elder Token and decided that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would likely welcome him as a Supreme Elder.
• Paimon wanted to return to the hotel to learn the owner's story, but Zhongli told her to respect people's privacy and let them grow on their own.
• Zhongli reflected that he would intervene in the Douluo Continent only if chaos threatened his life, and recalled how a Demon God's attempt to protect people could harm them.
• Two days later, "Xue Qinghe" ate breakfast with Zhongli and Paimon, then left to hunt for a Soul Ring and said she might be gone for ten days or two weeks.
• Paimon asked when Zhongli would take her to the Star Dou Great Forest, and Zhongli said they would leave once "Xue Qinghe" was farther away.

Zhongli and Paimon secretly followed Qian Renxue into the Star Dou Great Forest as she searched for a Soul Beast for her sixth Soul Ring. They reached the inner region, where Qian Renxue’s hunt was becoming more dangerous.

• Zhongli and Paimon followed Qian Renxue after she used a double to disguise her departure from Heaven Dou City.
• Qian Renxue revealed her true appearance and declined Ci Xue’s offer to carry her, choosing to experience traveling freely.
• Paimon learned that Zhongli had known Qian Renxue was a girl from their first meeting, then fell silent when he said she had never asked.
• After five days of travel, Qian Renxue entered the Star Dou Great Forest and used a map to head toward a marked Soul Beast location.
• Zhongli explained to Paimon how Soul Power colors indicated a Soul Beast’s approximate age, and they continued following Qian Renxue into the inner region.

Qian Renxue reached the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest and fought the Bright Tiger King to obtain her sixth soul ring while Zhongli and Paimon followed unseen. Zhongli sensed a stronger Soul Beast approaching, and Paimon worried that it would overwhelm Qian Renxue.

• Qian Renxue traveled through the inner region toward the nearly thirty-thousand-year Bright Tiger King, which suited her martial soul.
• Zhongli reassured Paimon that Soul Beasts could not detect her while she stayed within five meters of him, and they continued following Qian Renxue.
• Zhongli and Paimon saw Qian Renxue’s radiant martial soul draw the Bright Tiger King into battle.
• Paimon fretted over Qian Renxue’s chances, but Zhongli said the Bright Tiger King was no match for her.
• Zhongli sensed a more powerful Soul Beast rapidly approaching, and Paimon urged him to flee with Qian Renxue.

Zhongli reassured Paimon about the approaching Titan Giant Ape, while Qian Renxue defeated the Bright Tiger King. The Hundred-Thousand-Year Titan Giant Ape appeared, attacked Ci Xue, and left Qian Renxue and Paimon facing an immediate threat.

• Zhongli told Paimon the Titan Giant Ape was a vegetarian but warned that it still attacked humans.
• Qian Renxue killed the Bright Tiger King, and Ci Xue praised her strength before sensing something approaching.
• Ci Xue warned Qian Renxue not to absorb the soul ring as the ground trembled, and the Titan Giant Ape appeared.
• The Titan Giant Ape spoke, causing Ci Xue to realize it was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast and urge everyone to leave.
• The Titan Giant Ape rejected Ci Xue's plea and punched at him, prompting him to enter Martial Soul Possession and tell Qian Renxue to run.

Zhongli watched as the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python cornered Qian Renxue and Ci Xue over Spirit Hall’s past crimes. As the Beast Kings prepared to kill them, Zhongli stepped forward to ask for a talk.

• The Titan Giant Ape attacked Ci Xue and used its gravity ability while Qian Renxue considered fleeing.
• The Sky Azure Bull Python arrived, pinned Qian Renxue with its pressure, and declared that the Beast Kings would collect a debt from Spirit Hall.
• Paimon urged Zhongli to run, but Zhongli reminded her that they would remain unnoticed as long as she stayed close to him.
• The Titan Giant Ape blamed Spirit Hall for Aunt Yun’s death, and Da Ming agreed that the Beast Kings should kill Qian Renxue and Ci Xue.
• Paimon pleaded with Zhongli to save Qinghe, and Zhongli stepped forward to ask the two Beast Kings to talk.

Zhongli arrived as Qian Renxue and Ci Xue faced the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape, and refused to let the beasts take revenge on them. The beasts rejected his warning and launched an attack, leaving Zhongli confronting their combined domains and assault.

• Zhongli appeared and stopped the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape from attacking long enough to speak.
• Qian Renxue recognized Zhongli and wondered whether he had discovered her secret, while Ci Xue believed Zhongli could defeat the beasts.
• Paimon greeted Qian Renxue as Qinghe and called Ci Xue a big-headed fish.
• Zhongli said he was a guest of Qian Renxue's household and asked the beast kings to return to their territory, but they refused.
• The Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape used their Slow Field and Gravity Field, then the Titan Giant Ape charged Zhongli as the Sky Azure Bull Python gathered lightning.

Zhongli shielded Qian Renxue, Ci Xue, and Paimon from the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python, then defeated the two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts with Rock Spears when they refused to leave. The chapter left their fate unclear as Qian Renxue and Ci Xue stared in awe at Zhongli’s power.

• Paimon mistook the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python for Hillichurl Kings, and Zhongli protected the group with his First Soul Skill, All-encompassing.
• The Titan Giant Ape struck Zhongli and Ci Xue, while the Sky Azure Bull Python attacked with lightning, but neither could damage the shield.
• Zhongli told the two Beast Kings to leave, but they accused him of bluffing and refused.
• Zhongli summoned a dozen Rock Spears and struck the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python, silencing them after several impacts.
• Qian Renxue and Ci Xue watched Zhongli in awe as Qian Renxue wondered if this was his strength before becoming a god.

Zhongli killed the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python, then helped Qian Renxue absorb the Bright Tiger King's soul ring and break through to Soul Emperor. Afterward, Qian Renxue revealed her true identity and undercover mission, leaving the group to agree on how to address her.

• Zhongli killed the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python, leaving behind two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Rings and two soul bones.
• Zhongli dispersed the soul rings and kept the soul bones as collectibles despite Ci Xue's protests.
• Qian Renxue absorbed the Bright Tiger King's soul ring while Zhongli, Paimon, and Ci Xue stood guard.
• Qian Renxue successfully broke through to Soul Emperor and revealed that her real name was Qian Renxue and she was undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire.
• Qian Renxue told Paimon to call her Xue Qinghe while she was disguised, Qian Renxue otherwise, and invited Zhongli to call her Little Xue.

After parting from Qian Renxue, Zhongli and Paimon began a leisurely journey home while Qian Renxue ordered Ci Xue to conceal their encounter. The chapter ended with Yu Xiaogang telling Liu Erlong how Zhongli's strength had been revealed in Heaven Dou City.

• Zhongli and Paimon discussed Qian Renxue's methods before deciding to slow down and experience the local customs on their way home.
• Qian Renxue explained to Ci Xue that Zhongli likely already knew her identity and ordered him to keep Zhongli and Paimon's affairs secret from her grandfather and the Pope.
• Ci Xue agreed not to reveal anything about Zhongli and Paimon, despite worrying about the consequences of hiding it.
• Yu Xiaogang told Liu Erlong that Zhongli was a Crown Prince's Mansion Guest Official whose strength had been revealed after Dai Mubai provoked him.

Liu Erlong teased Flender and Yu Xiaogang for Shrek’s repeated offenses against Heaven Dou’s powerful figures, while Yu Xiaogang privately weighed Zhongli’s overwhelming potential. In the chapter’s final scene, Dugu Bo appeared in Tang San’s dormitory and left Tang San tense and confused about his visit.

• Liu Erlong reminded Flender and Yu Xiaogang that Shrek had offended Xue Beng, Dugu Bo, and a Crown Prince's Mansion Guest Official, and Flender admitted they had failed to intervene.
• Yu Xiaogang concluded that Zhongli could use both of his Beast Martial Souls at once and believed Tang San would have no advantage against him.
• Yu Xiaogang privately lamented his own weak innate talent and hoped Tang San could eventually surpass Zhongli; Liu Erlong and Flender suggested asking Zhongli about his cultivation later.
• Dugu Bo entered Tang San’s dormitory unseen and fixed him with a cold aura, prompting Tang San to prepare his hidden weapons and greet him respectfully.

Tang San revealed that wine and realgar had neutralized Dugu Yan’s poison, angering Dugu Bo, who feared the method would endanger his lineage. Dugu Bo admitted Tang San was right about his poison, but said another man had arrived ten years earlier and cured him and Dugu Yan.

• Dugu Bo asked Tang San whether he had used wine to counter Dugu Yan’s poison, and Tang San confirmed he had mixed wine with realgar.
• Dugu Bo grew furious because the simple antidote could threaten the Jade Phosphorous Lineage, and he briefly considered killing Tang San to keep it secret.
• Tang San challenged Dugu Bo’s claim that his poison was unmatched and said Dugu Yan had at most ten years left to live.
• Dugu Bo released Tang San and admitted his poison was not unmatched, explaining that another man had already cured both him and Dugu Yan ten years earlier.
• Tang San wondered who had cured Dugu Bo, while Dugu Bo reflected that he would have given up everything if the cure had come before his son and daughter-in-law died.

Zhongli and Paimon visited a poor village, where Zhongli shared a meal with an old man and his grandson, renamed the boy Wang Chen, and asked about his dreams. Zhongli left an amber-colored bead as payment before departing with Paimon.

• Zhongli and Paimon accepted a bowl of thin porridge from Wang Mazi, while Wang Chen watched hungrily.
• Zhongli learned that the twelve-year-old Wang Chen had no Soul Power and asked his name.
• At Wang Mazi's request, Zhongli gave the boy the name Wang Chen, explaining that Chen referred to the sun, moon, and stars.
• Zhongli asked Wang Chen whether he had any dreams, and Wang Chen said he had none because he lacked Soul Power and had a useless martial soul.
• Zhongli left an amber-colored bead as payment for the meal, then hurried away with Paimon.

Zhongli gave Wang Chen an otherworld version of a Geo Elemental God's Eye, which merged with his body and awakened his power. Wang Chen encountered Wolf Bandits near his village and prepared to fight rather than flee.

• Wang Mazi told Wang Chen that Zhongli deserved more than a bowl of porridge, so Wang Chen ran after Zhongli to return the glass bead.
• Zhongli explained to Paimon that the bead was a Geo Elemental God's Eye he had condensed from Rock Element Power, and told her to watch Wang Chen's first battle.
• As Wang Chen ran, the bead merged into his body, granting him enhanced speed and revealing its identity as a Geo Elemental God's Eye.
• Wang Chen vowed to repay Zhongli, then heard beasts roaring and encountered several Wolf Bandits near his village.
• Wang Chen decided he could not flee and leave his grandfather and village behind, while the Wolf Bandits charged at him.

Zhongli watched as Wang Chen used the Geo Elemental God's Eye to fight the Wolf Bandits threatening his village. After Wang Chen defeated them, Zhongli warned him to honor his wish or face Zhongli's judgment.

• Paimon asked Zhongli about the Wolf Bandits, and he explained that he had left the village to handle the threat itself, confident Wang Chen could succeed.
• Wang Chen awakened his wild boar martial soul and formed stone armor with Geo Elemental Power as he charged the Wolf Bandits.
• Wang Chen fought through the bandits' attacks and used a Geo Elemental Burst to kill them.
• Wang Chen came out of his berserk state and realized what he had done.
• Zhongli spoke to Wang Chen from the shadows, urging him to remember his original wish and warning that he would personally end him if Wang Chen strayed from goodness.

Tang San wondered who had cured Dugu Bo before Dai Mubai confided his troubles with Zhu Zhuqing. The conversation left Tang San recognizing his feelings for Xiao Wu, while Dai Mubai feared Zhu Zhuqing had come to die alongside him.

• Tang San suspected that the person Dugu Bo called “my lord” was the person he had encountered upon entering Heaven Dou City, and wondered how they had cured Dugu Bo’s poison.
• Dai Mubai teased Tang San about Xiao Wu, and Tang San reacted furiously to the thought of her marrying another man, realizing his feelings had grown beyond those of a brother.
• Dai Mubai told Tang San that Zhu Zhuqing ignored him and that they could not use their Martial Soul Fusion Skill because she would not accept him.
• Dai Mubai admitted he felt bound to Zhu Zhuqing by their arranged engagement and feared she had come to find him intending to die with him.

Dai Mubai declared that he would give up on Zhu Zhuqing and left to seek amusement, while Zhongli and Paimon returned to Heaven Dou City. Zhu Zhuqing joined them for a meal at the Seven Treasure Hotel, drawn to Zhongli by the disappearance of her strange dreams.

• Tang San refused to advise Dai Mubai about his relationship troubles, and Dai Mubai smashed Tang San’s table in anger.
• Dai Mubai declared that Zhu Zhuqing was no longer his fiancée and told Tang San to say that he and Ma Hongjun had gone off to have fun before leaving through the window.
• Zhongli and Paimon arrived at Heaven Dou City, and Paimon eagerly set off for the Seven Treasure Hotel to eat.
• Paimon recognized Zhu Zhuqing, who thanked her for standing up for Zhongli and herself during their previous encounter.
• Paimon invited Zhu Zhuqing to join them for a meal, and Zhu Zhuqing accepted, eager to see Zhongli again after her strange dreams had stopped.

Dai Mubai grew jealous after seeing Zhu Zhuqing with Zhongli and went with Ma Hongjun to seek out women, while Flender watched and left them to their choices. At the Seven Treasure Hotel, Zhongli asked Zhu Zhuqing why she seemed familiar with him, but Paimon interrupted before she could explain her dream of knowing him.

• Dai Mubai told Ma Hongjun he was calm, then angrily decided to go drinking and seek out women with him.
• Flender secretly watched Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun leave, remarked on the state of their circle, and returned to focus on cultivation.
• Zhongli, Paimon, and Zhu Zhuqing entered the Seven Treasure Hotel and sat in a private room.
• Zhongli asked Zhu Zhuqing why she seemed to have known him for a long time, and she struggled to explain that they had been close in a dream.
• Paimon interrupted Zhu Zhuqing and offered to hear her secret, leaving her unable to gather the courage to explain it.

After parting with Zhu Zhuqing, Zhongli chose to go shopping with Paimon, while Qian Renxue learned he had returned to Heaven Dou City and heard that Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai were at Blue Tyrant Academy. Qian Renxue suspected a plot against Zhongli, but realized the Star Luo Empire could not have arranged one so quickly.

• Zhongli and Paimon said goodbye to Zhu Zhuqing, while the Seven Treasure Hotel owner decided to investigate her connection to Zhongli.
• Zhongli reflected that his awakened memories had only added knowledge to Morax’s identity, then agreed to shop with Paimon and visit the Soul Fighting Arena later.
• Ci Xue reported Zhongli’s return to Qian Renxue, who was eager to find him after he had saved her and Ci Xue in the Star Dou Great Forest.
• Ci Xue told Qian Renxue that Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai were at Blue Tyrant Academy and suspected the Star Luo Empire and Zhu Family were targeting Zhongli.
• Qian Renxue noted that a message could not have traveled between Heaven Dou City and Star Luo City quickly enough for the Star Luo Empire to have planned the meeting.